Clamp for holding woven-wire fencing while stretching.



PATENTED JAN. 21, 1908.

11v VLNTOR. WILLIAM UBTEB.

A TTORNEY.

. W. OSTER."

APPLIOATION FILED MATH, 1907.

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CLAMP FOR HOLDING WOVEN WIRE FENCING WHILE STRE'TGHING.

WITNESSES:

WILLIAM OSflER, OF CALDWELL COUNTY, MISSOURI.

CLAMP FOR HOLDING WOVEN-WIRE FENCING WHILE STRETCHIN G.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 21, 1908.

Application filed May 18.1907. Serial no. 374.503

-To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM OSTER, a citizen of the United States, residing in the county of Caldwell and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clamps for Holding Woven- Wire Fencing while Stretching; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My present invention relates to a clamp for holding woven wire fencing while stretching, and more particularly to a device of that class for use in stretching wire fences.

In setting a fence of this character, the wire must be stretched between the posts before securing it thereto, and as the thickness of the body wires is not the same in all cases, it is desirable, if not absolutely necessary that the stretcher clam be adapted for adjustment to different thic messes of wire.

It is the object of my invention to provide a clamping device which may be quickly attached to a portion of wire fencing, and which will firmly grip the wire while the latter is being stretched, irrespective of the size of the wire of which the fence is composed; and to provide'a combined draft frame and auxiliary clamp therefor.

In accomplishing this object I have provided the improved details of structure which will presently be fully described and set out in the claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views and in which,

Figure I is a view in perspective of a sectron of wire fence to wh1c my improved clamp is attached. Fig. II is a longitudi-' nal sectional view through the upright clamping member. Fig. III is an enlarged view in end elevation, of the draft member. Fig. IV is a top plan view of same. Fig. V is a view in cross section on the line V'V, Fig. II.

Referring more in detail to the parts in Fig. I is shown a section of wire fence of an ordinary type, which is composed of a series of longitudinal body wires 1, and transverse wires 2, the latter being preferably secured to the top and bottom body wires and, if desired,

may be woven in and out through the intermediate wires 1.

3 represents a metal bar of a convenient length, having rigidly secured to, and projecting at a right angle to one end, a link 4. At the opposite end of the bar is a curved lip 5, turned in the same direction as link 4, and having a cam face 6, swelling outwardly from the body of the bar and diminishing toward the outer edge of the lip.

7 is a bar similar to bar 3, but having a link 8, revolubly mounted in a suitable seat in one of its ends, while at its opposite end is an outwardly turned hook member 9. Extending through and projecting from the edges of bar 7 near hook 9 is a pin 10.

Accompanying the parts described is a draft frame comprising a pair of.arms 1 1-12; the first having a link 13 rigidly secured to and projecting at a right angle from one of its ends; which link is adapted to engage the edges of bars 37 when the latter are in their clamping flposition, and project beyond these bars a su 'cient distance to be engaged by an car 14, formed on the end of the second arm 12. The ends of arms 1112 opposite the link and car are provided with slots 1112, and 15 is a ring'extending through these slots which serves as a coupling for the arms and a convenient means to which the draft apparatusmay be attached. Arm 12 is curved at 16 to provide a spring effect to the frame.

When in use, the bar 3 is placed against one side of the fence section, with the link 4 projecting beneath the bottom wire. The hook member 9 of the second bar is then slipped through the link and'the pair pressed against the longitudinal body wires of the fence; the link end serving as a fulcrum by which a tightening leverage of the bars against the fence wires is secured. When the bars are tightened against the wires, as described, the loose link 8 on bar 7 is slipped over and tightened against the cam face of lip 5 to lock the parts together.

Havin thus attached the clamping members the llnk 13 of the first draft arm is placed behind the clamping unit and the car 14, of the second arm slipped therethrough. When in this position the ring, which has been in line with the arms 1112 is turned down to the position shown in Fig. I, tightening the arms together and holding them locked against the clamp bars until the draft apparatus is attached, when the h'aul thereon will cause the ring to draw the arms together,

bars will increase their grip on the fence WlI'eS.

By having the rigid link on the lower end of bar 3, and the pin -10 on bar 7, the pair may be easily adjusted without the necessity of the operator stooping to adjust the parts; and by means of the improved arrangement of the draft link, a double pressure of the clamp bars against the fence wire is secured.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new therein, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is,

1. In a device of the class described, a clamp bar having a cam head and a 'link member, and a second bar having a lipped portion and a link adapted to respectively sgngage the link and cam head on said first 2. In a device of the class described, a pair of clamp bars, each providedwith a lipped portion, and a link adapted for engagement with the lipped portion of the opposite bar, the link on one of said bars being rigid and the other movable, substantially as set forth.

3. In a device of the class described, a clamp bar having a cam faced lip at one end and a link rigidly mounted at the opposite end, a second bar ada ted for engagement at one end with the linr on said first bar and provided with a movable link at its 0 posite end adapted to fit over and engage t e cam face on the lip on said first bar, for the purpose set forth.

4. In a device of the class described, the combination with a clamp bar having a cam head and a link member, of a second bar,

having a lipped portion and a link, said lipped portion and link being adapted for respective engagement with the link and cam head on said first bar, and a draft member carried by said bars, whereby said bars are tightened against each other when said mem- -ber is drawn forwardly.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination of a pair of clamp bars, each provided with a lipped portion and a link, the link on one of said bars'being rigid and the other movable and each adapted for en gagement with the lipped portion of the opposite bar, and a draft member, comprising a pair of clamp arms adapted for engagement with said clamp bars, and means for joining said arms whereby they are tightened against said bars when a draft is applied.

6. In' a device of the class described, the

combination of a clamp bar, having'a cam faced lip at one end and a link rigidly mounted at the opposite end, a second bar, ada ted for engagement at one end with the lin on said first bar, and provided with a movable link at its opposite end, adapted to fit over and engage the cam face on the lip on said first bar, a pair of slotted clamp arms, adapted for engagement With said bars, one of said arms being provided with a lip at one end and the other with a link ada ted to engage said bars and lock with sai lip, and a ring carried in the slots in said arms, for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two'witnesses.

' WILLIAM OSTER. Witnesses:

JOHN R. SOHAFF, A. E. STILLWELL. 

